Polish Church of St John the Evangelist, Putney facts for kids
The Polish Church of St. John the Evangelist (in Polish: Polski Kościół Św. Jana Ewangelisty) is a special Catholic church in Putney, London. It is a Grade II listed building, which means it is an important historical place. You can find it on St John's Avenue, SW15 6AW.
This church was built in 1858. The person who designed it was an architect named Charles Lee. When it was first built, it was an Anglican church, but it later became a Catholic church. It kept its original name, St. John the Evangelist.
Contents
History of the Church Building
How the Church Grew Over Time
The church building was made bigger several times over the years.
- In 1865, the tall tower and spire were made larger.
- Then, in 1888, the main part of the church (the chancel) and the side areas (aisles) were extended.
- In 1898, the vestry, which is a room used by the clergy, was also made bigger.
- Finally, in 1910, a south chapel and a porch were added to the church.
A writer and priest named A. C. Bouquet got married here in 1910.
Repairs After War Damage
During the Second World War, in 1944, the church was badly damaged. This happened because of bombs dropped from the air. The church had to close for several years so it could be fixed. It finally opened its doors again in 1948. A person named Francis H Spear created new stained glass windows for the church during these repairs.
A New Purpose for the Church
In 1977, the church was no longer used for its original purpose by the Anglican community. It was then rented out to Polish Catholics. Later, in 2007, they were given full ownership of the building. The church is now run by a group of missionaries called the Society of Christ Fathers. The money from the original rental (£80,000) helped to rebuild St Mary's Church in Putney. That church had also been damaged by a fire.
